How to Have a Killer Halloween on a Budget

Halloween is an extremely fun holiday, and to really get the most out of this ghoulish day you have to dress up and decorate. But if the yearly costs of costumes and decorations always leaves your bank account looking a bit scary, have no fear! These money saving tips will let you have a killer Halloween no matter your budget is.

Repurpose Old Costumes

If you’re like most people, you probably have a box full of old Halloween costumes collecting dust in your closet. Put those old costumes to use by repurposing them this year. There are hundreds of ways to reuse an old costume. Simply adding some new accessories or makeup can change an old costume into something new, like turning last year’s princess dress into this year’s zombie princess.

Old costumes are also great for turning into decorations. Fill an old costume with stuffing or crumpled newspaper, add some gloves, shoes, and complete with a mask and you’ll have a creepy monster for your yard or front porch.

Host a Costume Swap

If you’re not crafty, or have no interest in repurposing your old costumes, considering hosting a costume swap. Costume swaps are exactly what they sound like—guests bring an old costume and swap with another guest. Just think how fun turning a girls’ night into a costume swap party would be. The only thing better than sipping on some wine, eating snacks, and playing dress up with your best friends is getting a cool new Halloween costume at the end of the night.

Turn Everyday Items Into Spooky Decor

The old saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” is certainly true for DIY Halloween decorations. Transform everyday household items into spooky Halloween decorations with a few craft supplies and some know-how. For a little inspiration, consider turning empty milk jugs into glowing ghosts or old paper towel rolls into floating candles.

To make your glowing ghosts, draw some spooky ghosts faces on clean gallon milk jugs using a permanent marker. To make them glow, cut a hole in the back of each jug and insert some lights from a string of lights into each one. If you want each ghost to be free standing or don’t have an outlet where you want to display your ghosts, place a battery operated tea light into each jug.

For floating candles, paint some paper towel rolls the color of your choice, apply some hot glue to one end of the roll to look like dripping wax, glue a battery operated tea light at the top, and attach some fishing line to hang the candle from the ceiling and creep out all the trick-or-treaters who come to your door.

Don’t Buy Decorations and Costumes Right Away

Many stores start putting Halloween costumes and decorations out well before the holiday, but savvy shoppers know to wait if they want to get a good deal on Halloween items. Although buying things in advance means more selection, waiting until closer to the holiday often means paying less. Many stores will have sales to get rid of all the Halloween merchandise right before the holiday, so if you don’t have your heart set on any costume or decorations in particular, wait until the last week of October to do you Halloween shopping.

Make Your Halloween Party a Potluck

Supplying all of the food and drinks for a Halloween party can be expensive. Making your Halloween party a potluck can help save costs while allowing you and your friends to have a great time together. To add some festiveness to the potluck, considering having prizes for creepiest dish, tastiest dish, and most creative Halloween dish. A word to the wise, if you do go the competition route, be sure to include “tastiest dish” so you don’t end up with nothing but creepy (and unappetizing) food.

The cost of having a spooktacular Halloween this year doesn’t have to be frightening. Follow these money saving tips…if you dare. Happy Halloween!